Country for PR: United States
Contributor: PR Newswire New York
Thursday, May 24 2012 - 23:25
AsiaNet
LIONSGATE'S GLOBAL BLOCKBUSTER THE HUNGER GAMES TO BE RELEASED IN CHINA IN 67 IMAX(R) THEATRES IN JUNE
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and TORONTO, May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ --

Release In One Of World's Leading Territories Continues Lionsgate's Successful 
                         Global Partnership With IMAX

    IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX; TSX: IMX), one of the world's leading 
entertainment and technology companies, and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading 
global entertainment company, today announced that Lionsgate's blockbuster film 
The Hunger Games will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX(R) 
format and released in China in 67 IMAX(R) digital theatres in June.

    (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110919/LA70620LOGO )

    The film will be released nationwide in China, under the new revenue 
sharing terms outlined in the recently announced WTO agreement, in both dubbed 
and subtitled prints by China Film Group Corporation in conjunction with Huaxia 
Film Distribution Co. Ltd., with assistance from Lionsgate's promotional 
partner in the region, Talent International.

    The Hunger Games has already grossed nearly $400 million at the North 
American box office, making it the 14th highest-grossing film of all time, and 
it is approaching $650 million at the worldwide box office. The film is the 
first in a franchise based on the wildly popular trilogy of books by author 
Suzanne Collins, which has already generated more than 36.5 million copies in 
print in the United States alone and has developed a massive fan base.

    "The Hunger Games launch in China underscores the franchise's continued 
emergence as a truly global phenomenon, and we're delighted to extend our 
successful partnership with IMAX around the globe to offer moviegoers in China 
a unique, world-class experience," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group 
Co-Chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman. "We're thrilled that we can 
introduce the film to the Chinese movie-going public in the premium IMAX format 
that celebrates its status as a special and memorable event."

    "The Hunger Games has received critical and public acclaim and is one of 
the most successful franchises in recent history," said Greg Foster, Chairman 
and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We're excited that Chinese 
audiences will have the opportunity to experience this film in IMAX, which is 
the most immersive environment in cinema."

    The IMAX release of The Hunger Games will be digitally re-mastered into the 
image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) 
(Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with 
IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique 
environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

    The Hunger Games: The IMAX Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at 
the following IMAX theatres:

    China
    Baotou - Baotou Qingshan Wanda IMAX
    Beijing - Beijing CBD Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Beijing - Beijing Huaxing UME Cinema IMAX
    Beijing - Beijing Shijingshan Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Changchun - Changchun Chongqing Road Wanda IMAX
    Changchun - Changchun Hongqi Road Wanda IMAX
    Changchun - Changchun Ouya Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Changsha - Changsha Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Changzhou - Changzhou Xinbei Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Chengdu - Chengdu Jinhua Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Chongqing - Chongqing Jinyi Starlight Cinema IMAX
    Chongqing - Chongqing Lumiere Cinema IMAX
    Dalian - Dalian Huafu Wanda IMAX
    Daqing - Daqing Saertu Wanda IMAX
    Fuzhuo - Fuzhuo Cangshan Wanda IMAX
    Fuzhuo - Fuzhuo Financial Street Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Fuzhuo - Fuzhuo Jinyi Baolong Cinema IMAX
    Guangzhou - Guangzhou Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Hangzhou - Hangzhou Broadway Cinema IMAX
    Hangzhou - Zhejiang Xinyuan Cinema IMAX (Hangzhou Cinyo)
    Harbin - Harbin Central Avenue Wanda IMAX
    Harbin - Harbin Hengshan Wanda IMAX
    Hefei - Hefei Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Hohhot - Hohhot Wanda IMAX
    Huai'an - Huai'an Wanda IMAX
    Jinan - Jinan Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Kunming - Kunming Broadway Cinema IMAX
    Langfang - Langfang Wanda IMAX
    Luoyang - Luoyang Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Nanchang - Nanchang Bayi Wanda IMAX
    Nanjing - Nanjing Hexi Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Ningbo - Ningbo Jiangbei Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Ningbo - Ningbo Yinzhou Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Qingdao - Qingdao Wanda Cinema IMAX (Yanji Road Branch)
    Sanya - Sanya Haitang Bay Wanda IMAX
    Shanghai - Shanghai Jiangqiao Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Shanghai - Shanghai Peace Cinema IMAX
    Shanghai - Shanghai Super Brand Mall Stellar IMAX
    Shanghai - Shanghai Wujiaochang Wanda IMAX
    Shanghai - Shanghai Zhoupu Wanda IMAX
    Shaoxing - Shaoxing Keqiao Wanda IMAX
    Shenyang - Shenyang Jinyi Cloud Nine Cinema IMAX
    Shenyang - Shenyang Tiexi Wanda IMAX
    Shenzhen - China Film Shenzhen OCTBAY IMAX
    Shenzhen - Shenzhen UA KK Mall Cinema IMAX
    Shijiazhuang - Shijiazhuang Yuhua Wanda IMAX
    Suzhou - Suzhou Blue Ocean Cineplex IMAX
    Suzhou - Suzhou Culture + Arts Centre IMAX
    Suzhou - Suzhou Jinyi Yixiang Cinema IMAX
    Suzhou - Suzhou Pingjiang Wanda IMAX
    Taizhou - Taizhou Wanda IMAX
    Tangshan - Tangshan Wanda IMAX
    Tianjin - Tianjin CGV Xingxing Cinema IMAX
    Tianjin - Tianjin China Film Cinema IMAX
    Tianjin - Tianjin Hedong Wanda IMAX
    Tianjin - Tianjin Jinyi Aocheng Cinema IMAX
    Wuhan - Wuhan Jingkai Wanda IMAX
    Wuhan - Wuhan Studio City Cinema IMAX
    Wuxi - Wuxi Big World Cinema IMAX
    Xi'ian - Xi'an Da Ming Palace IMAX
    Xi'ian - Xi'an Jiefang Road Wanda IMAX
    Xiamen - Xiamen Huli Wanda Cinema IMAX
    Xiangyang - Xiangyang Wanda IMAX
    Yichang - Yichang Wanda IMAX
    Yinchuan - Yinchuan Jinfeng Wanda IMAX
    Zhengzhou - Zhengzhou Zhongyuan Wanda IMAX
    Zhenjiang - Zhenjiang Wanda Cinema IMAX

    Please check local listings or IMAX.cn for final theatre listings, launch 
dates and show times.

    About The Hunger Games
    Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the 
nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and 
girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising 
and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a 
nationally televised event in which "Tributes" must fight with one another 
until one survivor remains.

    Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister's place 
to enter the games, and is forced to rely upon her sharp instincts as well as 
the mentorship of drunken former victor Haymitch Abernathy when she's pitted 
against highly-trained Tributes who have prepared for these Games their entire 
lives. If she's ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make 
impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life 
against love.

    The Hunger Games is directed by Gary Ross from a screenplay by Gary Ross 
and Suzanne Collins and Billy Ray, produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in 
tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The Hunger Games stars Academy Award(R) 
nominated actress Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody 
Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Lenny Kravitz, with Stanley Tucci and Donald 
Sutherland.

                      http://www.thehungergamesmovie.com

    About Lionsgate
    Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and 
diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television 
programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital 
distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. 
The Company has built a strong television presence in production of primetime 
cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming 
and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 16 shows on more than 
10 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication 
businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy 
Award-winning "Mad Men," "Weeds" and "Nurse Jackie," along with the powerful 
drama "Boss," the new network series "Nashville" and "Next Caller," the 
syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House of Payne," its spinoff "Meet the 
Browns," "The Wendy Williams Show" and "Are We There Yet?" and the upcoming 
"Anger Management," starring Charlie Sheen, and "Orange Is The New Black," an 
original series for Netflix.

    Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the 
blockbuster first installment of "The Hunger Games" franchise, which has 
already grossed nearly $650 million at the worldwide box office, "The 
Expendables," "The Lincoln Lawyer", Cabin In The Woods," "Tyler Perry's Madea's 
Big Happy Family" and "Margin Call." With the January 2012 acquisition of 
Summit Entertainment, the Company now has the two leading young adult 
franchises - the blockbuster "Twilight Saga," which has grossed more than $2.5 
billion at the worldwide box office, and "The Hunger Games." Recent Summit hits 
include "Red," "Letters to Juliet," "Knowing," the "Step Up" franchise and the 
Academy Award-winning Best Picture, "The Hurt Locker."

    Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box 
office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles 
a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 13,000 motion picture and 
television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves 
as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The 
Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality 
entertainment in markets around the world.

    About IMAX China
    IMAX China is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and is 
incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong. IMAX China was established by IMAX 
Corporation specifically to oversee the expansion of IMAX's business throughout 
Greater China.

    About IMAX Corporation
    IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology 
companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring 
entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture 
and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is 
singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, 
innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and 
studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary 
ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful 
theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The 
Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing 
blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in 
established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well 
as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX deliver the world's best 
cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX(R), IMAX 3D(R), and IMAX DMR(R) 
(Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion 
picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The 
IMAX Experience(R).

    IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in 
London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. As of March 31, 2012, there were 643 IMAX 
theatres (510 commercial multiplex, 20 commercial destination and 113 
institutional) in 52 countries.

    IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), Experience It In IMAX(R), An IMAX 3D 
Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. 
More information about the Company can be found at http://www.imax.com. You may 
also connect with IMAX on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter 
(http://www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

    This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on 
IMAX management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain 
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially 
from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. 
Important factors that could affect these statements include, but are not 
limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, including the 
length and severity of the current economic downturn, the performance of IMAX 
DMR films, the opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by IMAX, 
competitive actions by other companies, conditions in the in-home and out-of 
home entertainment industries, the signing of theatre system agreements, 
changes in law or regulations, conditions, changes and developments in the 
commercial exhibition industry, the failure to respond to changes and 
advancements in digital technology, the failure to convert theatre system 
backlog into revenue, new business initiatives, investments and operations in 
foreign jurisdictions and any future international expansion, the inability to 
protect IMAX's intellectual property foreign currency fluctuations and IMAX's 
prior restatements and the related litigation. These factors and other risks 
and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 
10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

    For additional information please contact:

    Business Media:               Investors:
    IMAX Corporation - New York   IMAX Corporation - New York
    Ann Sommerlath                Heather Anthony
    +1-212-821-0155               +1-212-821-0121
    asommerlath@imax.com          hanthony@imax.com

    Sloane & Company - New York   Lionsgate - Los Angeles
    Whit Clay                     Peter D. Wilkes
    +1-212-446-1864               +1-310-255-3726
    wclay@sloanepr.com            pwilkes@lionsgate.com

                                  Entertainment Media:
                                  IMAX Corporation - Los Angeles
                                  Christine Tasto
                                  +1-310-255-5547
                                  ctasto@imax.com

                                  Principal Communications Group - Los Angeles
                                  Melissa Zuckerman/Paul Pflug
                                  +1-323-658-1555
                                  melissa@pcommgroup.com
                                  paul@pcommgroup.com

                                  For information about The Hunger Games:
                                  Lionsgate- Los Angeles
                                  Kate Piliero
                                  +1-310-255-4064
                                  kpiliero@lionsgate.com


SOURCE: Lionsgate
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